Saturday, September 12, 2015

Deadline has broken the news that Jackie and Phillip Button (his agent) have left WME and joined STX Entertainment (who are producing the adaptation of Stephen Leather's "The Chinaman")

Jackie Chan and Phillip Button at the White House in 2011

One of the world’s biggest stars already is set to appear a film for mini-studio STX, and now his agent Philip Button is joining the company too. I’ve learned that superstar Jackie Chan is leaving WME and will continue to be managed by Button but go agentless for the time being. Button’s title at STX will be EVP International Production and Management, focused on building out business in Asia and Latin America. He will report directly to STX CEO Bob Simonds. It is unclear if in what or any capacity Chan will align himself formally with STX.

Both longtime members of the WME family, Chan and Button will be leaving the agency imminently. Chan essentially was Button’s sole major client at WME, and I’ve heard that everyone is parting as friends.

The martial arts icon is set to star in STX’s untitled film that had been known as The Foreigner.